30 November 2007

Last night was the first Palmetto Trail night ride for the winter. Everyone yaps about how they want to go ride the trail at night, yet they never show up...Anyway, Doog and I met a bit early last night and headed out. We did the trail from the head and rode out to the firebreak just past MM7. I didn't want to go out any further as the trail is really chopped up between the firebreak and MM8. I'll be going out at some point in the next few weeks to clear and re-cut that section of trail. I'd ask for help, but that's like asking for help to move. My night trail eyes just aren't there yet. We did fine, but I did miss the trail a few times. Of course, one of the right turns I miss during the day, so I shouldn't count that one! I rode a bit slower than usual too seeing as it was Doog's first foray into the woods at night and his second on his new bike altogether.The new LED light performed well and throws a lot of light up the trail. It's downfall is the fact that both heads are pretty much spot beams. They are independently adjustable, so I finally got them figured out well enough to see the trail and some of the periphery. The helmet light was a good idea last night as it filled what the LED light missed. I'll ride the big halogen light next week and make a comparison.I ended up with 2:15 on the bike last night and had a good ride. People who sit in the house and ride a trainer are suckers.

..And since there seems to be a moron running loose through cyberspace, I've disabled anonymous comments for the time being. I'm all for anonymous comments from people who may have something to add to the dialogue, but stupid people have access to computers too.The same person keeps posting inane/stupid/insipid/borderline retarded comments, so blame him. The person is a giant chickenshit for not having the balls to include a name...but I know who he is (IP tracking) and will deal with it accordingly.

26 November 2007

Sorry for the poor picture quality, but this had to be shown. CC got the front windows painted for Christmas...

-looks like it was done by a troupe of orangutans or special ed kids or their progeny...

-Santa is way off to the side and leaning on what appears to be a pole. Is the economy so bad that even Santa has resorted to hooking?

-"USA Cycling Rocks"? WTF does that have to do with Christmas?

-The giant "Brooklyn" banner? It's a defunct Italian chewing gum company that sponsored a team WAAAAY back in the day. Again, WTF does that have to do with Christmas?

Did Kimi help with this? It's right at that level...

The "artist", and I use that term in the broadest sense possible, should have his artistic license revoked. Remember, there's a fine line between artisitic and autistic. Put away your brushes PeanutHead, because you failed...

25 November 2007

Friday ended up being a no-ride day. The H.O. got called into the office, so I was on kid duty. She had to go to Greenville, so we decided to gather up the management trainees and head up there as a group. It was nice...kinda broke up the day. She finished at lunchtime, so we had lunch and tried to go to Hincapie Sportswear. Unfortunately, they were closed, so we pointed the family truckster back towards Columbia and came home.Saturday morning met us with cold temps and a biting wind directly out of the North. The group was pared down greatly because of the weather. The 9 that showed turned to 8 just outside the Fort. Doogie wasn't feeling well, so he headed home. The remaining 8 did a modified backwards Tuesday loop, hitting some tree-lined roads, in an effort to stay out of the wind. For once, a plan actually worked. The ride was shorter than usual, but the wind and cold made up for it.The company then went, en masse, to look at new houses. This old box is getting a bit small for two adults, two kids and two dogs. The place we really wanted to see was supposed to be open, but the agent must have had better things to do, and it was locked up tight. We stopped by the BlueHairs and had dinner, than came home to watch Carolina lose...again...! Start out 6-1 and end up 6-6...suck...suck...suck...!This morning, a group met at Starbucks and did a Palmetto Trail ride. The majority of the bunch was on cross bikes, which was a rarity in itself. Doogie and I kind of did our own thing after sitting and waiting for the bunch a few times. I got a good workout and figured some things out this morning. The most important being the fact that the Ksyriums are good race wheels, but aren't that great on singletrack. They are just WAAAY to stiff. The Trail needs some TLC too. I might be doing some trailwork here soon...I ended up with almost 2:30 on the cross bike.

We were planning on going back out to look at the house we like (same one as above), but the agent has chosen to take the weekend off. He's supposed to be there @ 1 until 6. Well, it's 2:30 and the chopperhead isn't there. Needless to say, the H.O. has the bitch-switch clicked into the 'ON' position right now...and I don't blame her.

22 November 2007

Happy Turkey Day everyone. Yes, I said turkey. The pilgrims didn't eat tofu or bean salad on that first day they sat down with the Native Americans!

Anywho, it was a perfect, if not a bit breezy, morning for a solo cross/urban assault/river ride. I headed out throught the northside of town and dropped in on the river trail at the dam and made my way down the Columbia side and up to the State Museum.

I tried to check out the old trails down near the Gervais St. bridge, but it seems the lack of cold weather has allowed the bamboo and weeds to live a bit longer this year. I could see the trail go in, but I wasn't about to eat myriad spiderwebs and I didn't bring a machete wielding pygmy to hack through.

I crossed the bridge and hit the Cayce side of the Greenway, which is MUCH nicer than the Columbia side, and rode it all the way out to a locked gate. Well, there was no one around, so I'll let you guess what occured next. Let's just say, there's another mile or so of trail on the other side.

I did make a cool find too. The old canal locks are still in place on the Cayce side and surprisingly easy to access. I rode right out to the edge and looked down into the cold, emerald water. It would be a wonderful place to catch some ZZZZZZs. Very peaceful...

I turned around, rode out of the Greenway via the mini-Alpe d-Huez and made my way around to the Granby Mills section of the trail. All of the dirt trails are still there and pretty well groomed.

Alas, it was then time to make my my home, to a quiet, childless house. The silence is deafening. Coming up past the baseball stadium, I stood to climb and felt the distinctive washing that is a 40c wide cross tire going flat. I rode it all the way home and it's still holding air. 20-25 pounds, but still...

21 November 2007

Doogie and I tried to do the HBW Tuesday night ride last night, only to be thwarted by time and mechanical difficulties. Neither of the problems being any fault of our own. We had 12 when we finally rolled out last night and the issues started immediately. Someone flatted on the lower part of the trail, about 2 minutes into the ride. Several of us rode on and up through the cemetary to wait...and wait...and wait...

Finally, Doog and I bailed and meandered through downtown to get home. Even with the lack of ride, I still got home shortly before 8. I just can't fiddle-fart around for 30+ minutes, waiting on folks who can't change a flat. Probably the last one of those rides I do for a while. They're definitely fun and good when they are problem-free, but last night just wasn't to be...

At least it served as a good shakedown ride for Doog's new Redline cross bike. Nothing flew off and he made it home safely in the dark.

I felt like shit for most of the day, most of the ride and the hour I was awake when I got home. I went to bed @ 9:30 and woke up this morning @ 8. Amazing what 10 hours of sleep can do for you.

I'll be heading out to ride at some point in the morning (Thursday) for a pre-Turkey Day spin...if anyone would care to join me. It will be the start of a 4 day block.

18 November 2007

Saturday met us with 38 degree temps and a pretty stiff wind that seemingly came from every direction. It was the way a winter ride is supposed to be as well. We all stayed together, those who wanted to make an effort did so and then the group came back together and we even had a nice tempo section on Airbase. I ended up with right at 60 miles and was tired when I walked in the door. I could tell I hadn't been on the bike for a week...The H.O. and I went to look at a house in the afternoon. It was nice, but if I'm spending $250k+, I don't want to be forced to administer TLC to the house when we move in.Doogie brought his new cross bike over last night and we got it 80% built. The rear brake routing is presenting a problem, as there is no clear way to run the housing. The boss is entirely too close to the seat-tube. It may be indicative of a small bike, but I've never run into that problem before. I'm hoping a section of Nokon housing will remedy the situation or it may get torn down and sent back, which would be a shame. Redline makes nice cross frames.

I woke up this morning @ 5:20 a.m. to a screaming 2 year old. The poor little guy is sick and pitiful. The H.O. is leaving for a meeting this afternoon and the house looks like a family of Guatamalan migrant workers lives here, so there will be no ride for me today. It's okay though, I be out Tuesday night, and then Thursday thru Sunday. That'll make 6 days of 8 on the bike, which is a good stack for November.

Ohio State won 14-3 over Michigan...in Ann Arbor. Everyone sing..."We don't give a damn about the whole State of Michigan...!"

They charged the woman who killed Lee Ann Barry and Tom Hoskins with two counts of negligent homicide. And they should have...the Law is clear here and a message needed to be sent. She'll probably plea out and get a slap on the wrist, but it's a start! She should NEVER be able to drive again.Please leave comments on WLTX's page. There are some mouth-breathing idiots on there.

And some other good news...It seems Keith Iwinski had a heart procedure to alleviate his crazy, elevated HR issue. He's fine and recovering nicely at home.

And Big John Greene, owner of Cycle Center, is back at work after back surgery. It's amazing how tall he is when standing straight.

15 November 2007

I feel like crap, no interest in getting on the bike to ride in the dark tonight. Plus the fact that Vista Lights is going on...no reason to get popped by some drunk on his/her way home. I'm going to bed early, and by early I mean, in about 45 minutes...

HEYYYYY...

I did finish Il Professore's Colnago today. The bike built up easily and is finished out very well from the factory in Ital....er...Taiwan. Very nice frameset overall. I do have a sneaking suspicion that his choice of handlebar tape will be the source of much ribbing though. It looks like he rode through the candy cane factory at the North Pole. I think those that bought them got a very nice bikes.

13 November 2007

Another night on the stairs...8x20 stadium hops (that's right...160 hops)8 sets running the steps...for form, not speedNext week is 10 each...and will be there until January 1st. Every Tuesday night...Il Professore says is masochistic, and he's right, but it pays dividends in the spring...

Did some much needed maintenance on the Salsa last night. The chain popped like an old prostitute's hip on the night ride last Thursday. I figured it was better to install a new chain than be stuck somewhere in the ghetto, in the dark, in lycra, pushing a $3000 bike! When I broke the old chain, I noticed that the rear derailleur had some serious character. I guess it got it's modified shape last Winter, on a night ride. My brother and I were WAY out and I got a large stick caught in the derailleur and it pretty much turned around on itself. Removal of the stick led to the thing flipping right back around and working properly for the remainder of the ride...and the last 8 months. That's why you put a MTB rear derailleur on a cross bike. A road unit would have never survived.

I cleaned everything, installed a new Mavic/Wipperman chain and it shifts perfectly, so I guess there's really no reason to mess with it. Of course, the damn thing will probably break off and leave me in the aforementioned ghetto one of these nights...

TVH and Il Professore both got their new Colnago bikes yesterday. I guess it's Mandrus' turn to upgrade his rig...! Seems like everyone is getting new bikes this winter. I'll be putting Il Professore's together this weekend, as he is going to Montreal. If you gotta go to Canada, at least go to English speaking Canada...jeez!

11 November 2007

Doogie and I rolled out early this morning to go to the swap in Charlotte. There were some good deals to be had, some average deal and more than a few headscratchers. I went looking for a few, very specific things and bought nothing more than a pair of socks. I spent more on lunch at a burger place in Fort Mill than I did at the swap. $6 at the swap...$7.25 on lunch...! There was a bunch of stuff to buy, but it came down to two simple questions...Did I NEED any of it? No...Could I live without it? Yes...

Saw some friends I hadn't talked to in a while and met BIG BRAD...! He's a guy that races karts with Doog and YES, he call himself BIG BRAD...even though he's 5'7" at the outside...I've been informed that's it's 'Bad Brad'...sorry for the mix up...! Kinda works either way though....!

Time to start getting my crap in a pile before heading to the spa to pick up #1.

10 November 2007

Kind of a weird ride...90kms...3+ hours...A very close call @ 50kmh...Too much whispering among some...get over it...!

I'm not even going to get into the ride itself or how a 'special guest' needs to shut the fuck up...Don't tell people you don't know how to ride. Until you can hold the wheel of the guy you were yapping at, just be quiet!

As an aside, if you don't like something I write here, either have enough respect for me, as well as yourself, to talk to me about it like an adult, or just hush. Don't whisper to those that will listen...it isn't middle school. Or, don't come back to my little dirt road off the information superhighway! No one forces you to come here.

09 November 2007

It's almost unbelieveable, but I did a ride last night that was FUN. There was no complaining, whining, bitching, or moaning. Just riding and laughing...it was really nice!

Doogie had the afternoon free from the chains of Medical School, so he rode in the warm sunshine. No reason to ride in the dark with me just for the sake of it...! I, in turn, met PalmettoSolo and the HBW guys for their Thursday night urban assault ride. I rode the Salsa from the house and them at the end of the Greenway. Once the dozen of us gathered, it was go time. We rode up through the park and out into the Northside of town. After a short loop through Elmwood Cemetary, we made our way around into Cottontown and then downtown for some parking garage fun, including the Trek rep almost taking out half the group in the Gravity Race. A big loop around campus and a drop into Granby Park followed. At this point, I parted ways with the group to get home at a reasonable hour. I got home with 2:30 on the bike, a good workout and a big smile on my face. This ride is what getting on a bike is supposed to be about...having a good time. I'm glad I took the invite and will be going back throughout the winter. I'd forgotten how much fun night group rides really are...

9 a.m. tomorrow...and in the forties...over/under is set @ 8 again this week. Try to be on time too! Some of us are tired of sitting around until 9:15 for the ride to leave.

07 November 2007

06 November 2007

Tonight the off-the-bike workouts began. I'd forgotten how much running sucks. I mean, really...do people actually derive enjoyment from it. I went to the Statehouse to do my stadium hops/plyometrics and decided to run around the complex for a while. After my second loop, I went back to running the steps. There's just too much impact on the body. While doing plyos and running the steps has a degree of impact, it's far less than going for a jog!I feel the workout in my legs already. I didn't do it last winter and paid for it in the spring. I'll be up there every Tuesday evening if anyone wants a good workout...

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The Big Stampede is this Sunday in Charlotte @ Lowes Motor Speedway. Hit up the bank machine before you go, 'cuz there isn't one at the track.

Yoga tomorrow night and night ride on Thursday...! Doogie and I will be heading out @ 5:45 from the gate for a loop. Bring your lights and some warm clothes and join the fun.

04 November 2007

That was my weekend of riding.Saturday met us with lower temps. I refuse to say it was cold, because it just wasn't. We had a smaller turnout than usual, likely because of the mid-40s temp at start time. I guess some folks will stay inside when it's 38 and overcast this winter...Those of us who rolled out of bed and braved the horribly frigid temps had a perfectly lovely ride through Lower Richland, down into Eastover, out to the Cricket Store and back the normal way. The wind decided it wanted to meet us when we made the turn at the store though. It wasn't a brutal headwind by any stretch, but made the ride more interesting.I ended up with 100km at an average of right at 30kmh and clicked off 2000kj. I must have been on the front a lot during the ride, because that number is about 200kj more than I've ever produced on that loop, including some of the hard rides out through there. Il Professore made it the entire ride without breaking any parts...HOORAY. He did, however, bring his Dean SS over for me to look at the stem. The faceplate wouldn't tighten down on the bars. The reason? FSA stuff sucks...that's the reason. The threading for all four screws had been tapped incorrectly. Amazing...! Then we hacked at his shoe for 20 minutes to change a cleat. I love using large, powerful, high rpm power tools on expensive bike parts!We are also starting a betting line on what part he'll break next...Crankset - 7/1Handlebars - 10/1Front wheel - 14/1

Doogie, NID and I met this morning @ 9. It was a bone-chilling 44 degrees when I left la casa.We went out through the Fort and meandered around in Lower Richland for about 2:15. Another perfect day of riding. Very little wind, very few cars, and a great loop. 65km and 1200kj for the day. I came home and immediately went to work in the yard, getting a jump on the infernal leaves. I'll be doing leaves from now until after Christmas. The big trees in my yard are great in the summer, but are the bane of my existence come fall and winter.Doogie and I stopped by Crusty's later in the day and he picked up some Reynolds wheels. Crusty's lady is moving in with him, so the house actually looks presentable. It was a bit cave-like before...kind of dark and dank...

All in all, it was a good weekend.

We'll be riding Thursday night, with lights, on the Fort if anyone is interested.